Curtain-rod and shade-roller support



G. E. ALPHIN. CURTAIN ROD AND SHADE ROLLER SUPPORT. APPLICATION FILED NOV, 4, 1919.

1,345,340. Patented July 6, 1920.

I Y 2 SHEETS-SHEET I. 21 12.;

e. E, ALPHIN. CURTAIN ROD AND SHADE ROLLER SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV, 4. 1919.

1,345,340. Pat nt d July 6, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT, OFFICE.)

GILBERT E. AL PHIN, OF NORWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA.

CURTAIILROD AllD SHADE-ROLLER SUPPORT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, GILBERT a citizen of the United States, residin at Norwood, in the county of Stanly and tate of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain-' Rods and Shade-Roller Supports; andI do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates tocurtain-pole and shade-roller supports.

One object of this invention is to generally improve upon devices of this character by providing an improved structure which consists of comparatively few and simple parts, the majority of these parts being formed of springy sheet metal blanks,

these parts being held in adjustment by the' inherent springiness of certain of the lements of the device; and the sprlng clamping functions of the respective element's obviating the necessity for use of rivets or similar securing devices, whereby the cost" of manufacturing is minimized, and the convenience, utility, efficiency, durability and ornamentality is maximized.

A further object of tlns lnvention is to provide a device of this character whlch can' be veryquickly and easily adjusted and transformed so as to be attached in differ ent positions to a window and adjusted to fit windows and door-ways of different sizes and forms (including double, triple, and other multiple windows), this device also being. useful to support a curtain between windows for utilizing the space between windows for hanging clothes on the wall behind this curtain. i r

A further object is to provide an improved auxiliary support that is quickly and easily adjusted between windows and adapted to combine with the other'supporting elements of this invention for supporting curtains at the windows.

further object is to provide an improved curtain-bracket in connection with a supporting and connecting strip or bar with which it has spring-pressed frictional or clamping engagement to hold'it in different adjustments.

Other objects and. advantages may become apparent to persons who read the following details of description in connection with the accompanying drawings in-which:

Specification of Letters Patent. I

E. ALPHIiv,

Figure 1 is a view representing a window in horizontal section, my improved sup: porting devicebeing shown, in top plan, attached to the upper periphery of the window casing.

Fig. 2' is a front elevation ofthe device illustrated in Fig. 1.

' Fig.3 is a front elevation of the upper portion of door-way having my improved deviceattached to the lower surface of the upper part of the door frame.

Fig. 4 is an-enlarged vertical sectional view, the section being taken along the line 4-5 of Fig. 2, viewed from the right of said line. l

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view along the line 4-5 of Fig. 2, viewed from the left of said line. I

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the horizontal adjustable curtain supporting brackets. Fig; 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the outeren'd of one of the bars which constitutes an element of the horizontal supporting structure on which the member. shown in Fig. 6 is adjustably secured. r

Fig. 8 is a detail View illustrating a pottionof one of the horizontal bars and a portion of the adjustable bracket shown in the partition between two windows of a pair.

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a combination in which two of my improved sup porting devices are employed for support ing three curtain-poles or shade-rollers, also combining to support a long curtain-pole which extends throughout the combined horizontal length of the windows.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an auxiliary supporting attachment or bracket such as illustrated at the middle lower portion of Fig. 9.

Referring to these drawings in detail, in which similar reference characters correspond with similar parts throughout the several views. and in which the window frames and door frames are typical of ordinary constructions of this character, being shown merely to demonstrate the application, uses Patented July 6, 1920. Application filed November 4,1919. Serial No. 335,621. I

and advantages of improved curtain supporting device.

The invention comprises, in its simplest,

form, a pair of supporting bars 1, a pair of supporting brackets 2 and a retractile spring 3 which is preferably of the closed helical type. I 7

Each bar l is preferably formed, of strap iron or a strip ofsheet metal and has one end bent back toward the other end and formed with toothed prongs 4 for penetrating engagement with the periphery of a window casing as illustrated in F igs. 1, 9 and 10, and a slot or notch 5 is provided between the toothed prongs 4 for reception of the headed endof a nail, screw orsimilar fastening device, a indicated at 5 in Figs. 8 and 7'. v Each bar 1 is also provided with a series of adjusting apertures 6 (see Figs.

2 and 8), and-hooks 7 are formed on or secured to the ends of the .spring 3,these hooks extending through the apertures 6 and being interchangeable with relation to these apertures to provide a wide range 'of adjustment so that the device may be quickly and easily adjusted to fit both very narrow and very wide windows. The inner end of each bar 1 is turned at right angles to the major portion to form a laterally extending flange 9, and this flange or car is provided 'with a large circular aperture 8 through another to such extent that they cannot be' which the spring 3 extends. It will be seen therefore, that the spring 3 not only draws the bars 1 toward one another so as to retain their engagement withthe window frame or with the nail or screw, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, but it also supports the .innerends V of the bars 1 and holds them in longitudinal alinement with one another.

holes6 provide a wide range of adjustment,

While the the spring 3 provides an infinite number of fine and accurate adjustments, and automatically adjusts the length of the device according to the distance between attaching points. -Moreover, by engaging the hooks in corresponding apertures of the bars 1, so that the distance between the respective hooks and the apertured flanges issubstantially equal, the device presents a symmetri cal and ornamental appearance which en hances its value as an article of merchandise. The hooks are turned back toward one as to form 2parallel arms Hand 12, and also to form a clamping element 1.3 which has its ed es united with the arms 11 and 12 at 10. glots 141 are provided at the angular junctions of the elements 13 and the arms 11 and 12, these slots being of a length but slightly greater than the'width of the bars 1, but having a Width ronsiderably greaterihai: the thickness of the bars 1,

."The' outer edges 14 of the slots 14 are disposed slightly inwa dly of th plane of the inner. surface of the clamping element 13, so that a bar 1 can only be passed through the-slots 14 when the arms 11 and 12-are sprung inward toward one another, this springing of the arms 11-and 12 causing the clamping element 13 to move away from the plane of the edges orshoulders 1 P- sufficiently to permit the bar 1 to pass through the slot: 14. Because of the springinesszof the member 2, the arms 11 and 12 will be returned to their normal parallel relation to one another when they are released, and this elfects a clamping or binding engagement of the member 2 with the member 1 so that these membersare frictionally held in every adjusted relation to one another.;-In

order that the engaging element 13 may be deflected or bent to a greater extent than the ing apertures or bearings 16, 17 and 18, the latter being employed only when the device 1-1 and 12 are provided with pintle-receivis used in the relation shown in Fig. 3, that ward instead of horizontally as in. Figs-l and 2. The apertures 16 are-preferably larger than the apertures 17 andare spaced farther'froin the plate 12 orbases of the arms] This provides 3 for accommodating both large rollers having large pintles and is, when the arms 11'and 12 extend'downf small rollers having small pintles, although the shade-rollers having small pintle may be. seated in the relatively large apertures 16 in the event it is d'esiredto space the cur? tain a greater distance from the window than if it were seated in the bearing 17. The

apertures 16 and 17, are elongated for re-I ceiving the flat. stationary pintle 'or' spring connection of an ordinary shade roller, and

the roller may be reversed, thisbeing permitted'in consequence of all of the apertures 16 and, 17 being-elongated, it, being obvious that the rotary pintle of the roller 1 position to another. a

Referring to the embodiment and application of the invention as illustrated in Fig. 9, it will be seen that the hooks 7 have been adjusted in engagement with apertures relatively near the apertured flanges or cars 9, so as to extend the device longitudinally for engagement with the casing of a double window, audit will also be seen. that the device illustrated in Fig. 11 is attached to the previously described device and to the middle post or partition of the window.

' This device is generally indicated by'the numeral 21 and is formed of an apertured springy sheet-metal blank, the blank being somewhat similar to that from which the member 2 is formed, that is, it comprises two parallel arms and an intermediate spring element or plate which are joined to one another at angular portions indicated at22. The arms of the member 21, being identical in form with the arms 12, need no detailed description, and are referred to by the numeral 12 the several pintle bearings and curtain-pole bearings being referred to by numerals indicating like elements, in Fig. 6, followed by the letter a, as 16, 17*, etc. However, the intermediate portion 23 is both structurally and functionally different from the intermediate portion 1 1 of the member 2, being'curved or concavo-convexed from one to another of its ends 22, and beingformed with a slot 2 1- having one end enlarged to permit the head of a nail or screw to. be passed therethrough, the remaining portion of the aperture 24: being too narrow to permit the head of the fastening member to pass therethrough, and this enables the device to be removably secured to a headed fastening member without removing the latter. Moreover, as this member 21 is of springy sheet metal, its intermediate portion or securing portion 23 may be straightened by pressing the arms 12 toward one another. When thus straightened, the aperture 24 may be passed onto and laterally of the headed fastening member such as indicated at 25 in F ig. 9, and its inherent'spring action causes it to frictionally engage the head of the fastener 25 and also to :frictionally e'ngage with the post or partition of the window to which it is secured, so that this device automatically secures itself'ln position on the window. Before thus securing the member 21 on the window,

the spring 3-is passed through enlarged portions 18 of the apertures 18", and now, when the device 21 is secured on the fastener 25 while the bars '1 are engaged with the window casing, the spring 3 prevents the member 21 from turning on its pivot. Moreover, when the shadeerollers are placed in their respective seats, asindicated at a-a in Fig. 9,-they coact with the brackets 2 for preventing the member21 from moving laterally with relation to the fastener 25.

In-fitting up a triplex window, as indicated'in Fig. 10, each of the two outer windows is provided with one of my complete single-window attachments, and a 'shaderoller or curtain-rod (such as'indicated at 6 in Fig. 10) is supported by the arms 12, the

:pintles ofthis shaderoller being alined with those of the shade-rollers or curtain-rods a.

This arrangement of shade-rollers-is provided for by the duplex brackets 2, each arm of these brackets having the corresponding pintle bearings 16, 17 and 18 as described infthe foregoing. Moreover, by this ar rangement of two window attachmentsin connection with three windows or a triplex window is not a window but a portion of wall between the two outer windows, and that this space between the windows is adapted to support a clothes hanger ora series 'of clothes hooks. It will be seen that a curtain suspended from a short pole supported on the two inner brackets 2 will hide and protect the clothing hung behind this curtain.

It is to be understood that the term curtain,'as used in the claims should have its broadest definition, including what is ordinarily termed a window-shade, also that the term curtain-rod is used in its broadest sense and may include both what is ordinarilytermed a curtain-pole and'what is ordinarily termed a shade-roller.

Although I have described these embodimentsof my invention specifically, it is not intended to limit this invention to these exact details of construction and arrangement, but changes may be made within the scope of the inventive ideas as implied and claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A curtain supporting bracket consisting of sheet metal and being formed with substantially parallel arms, a springy clamping element between and united with said arms, apertured angular portions at the juncture of the clamping element with the arms, and a seat to receive and support an end of a curtain pole, the apertures of said angular portion being adapted to receive a bar therethrough in such relation that said arms can coact with said'clamping element in clamping. said .bar. a 2. A curtain-supporting member formed integrally of a' springy 'aperturedl sheet- Vmetal blank and comprising two substantially parallel arms and a spring clamping element between said arms, two apertures of the support being located at the meeting edges of said clampingelement and arms and being. adapted to receive a bar therethrough, two edgesof said apertures being cooperative with the said spring clamping elementto clamp said bar, the other edges 7 of the clamping element being inwardly recessed to weaken the spring element along its central linebetweenjsaid apertures. I. 3. A curtain-supporting bracket consi'st- 7 ing of sheet metal and being formedv with substantially parallel arms, a springy clamping element between and united with said arms, apertured angular portions at the 'junction of the clamping element with the arms, and a pintle-seat in each of said arms to receive pintles. of two separate shade rollers.

4;, In a curtain support, the combination of a normally horizontal supporting struc-H ture attachable to a window, and a pair of brackets each mounted for horizontal adjustment ,on said structure, each'of said brackets comprising two spaced arms and a springy clamping element, the latter being between and united with ends of said arms and cooperative with these ends to clamp said supporting structure indifferent adjusted positions, said clamping element being movable out of its cooperative relation to said arms by movement of the latter toward one another, one arm of each bracket being formedwith. a curtain-rod bearing.

5.jIn a curtain support, the combination of a normally horizontal supporting structure attachable to a window, anda pair of brackets each mounted for horizontal adjustment on said structure, each of said brackets comprising two spaced arms and a springy a clamping element, the latter being between and united with ends of said arms and cooperative with these ends to clamp said sup- 6. In a curtain-rod support, a p airlof bars each being attachable to a door or window '7 and having one end provided with a laterally extending: apertured; ear, a helical spring extending through the apertured ears of said bars and beingisecu red to, inter.-v

mediate parts of saidbars, and a pair of V curtain-rod-brackets, mounted for horizontal adjustment on said-bars respectively.

. 7. In ajcurtain-rod support, a pair of bars each provided with a laterally extending hook and an apertur'ed. ear extending laterally from'the sideoppositeto that l'r'om which the hook extends, a retractile spring extending through the aperturedears of said bars and being secured to an intermediate part of each bar and effective to draw the bars toward 'one' another: for holding said :hooks in engagement with a door or window and also effective to keep the bars alined with one another, and two'curtainrod-brackets mounted respectively on said bars. 7

8. In a 'curtain-rod support, a pair of bars each provided with a laterally extending slotted hook and an apertured ear extending laterally from the side opposite to that from which the hook extends, a re tractile spring extending through the apertured ears of said bars and being adjustably secured to an intermediate part of said bar and effective to draw the barstoward one another for holding said hooks in engagement with a ,headed fastener or with the casing of a door or window and also ef fective to keep the'bars alined with oneranother, and two .curtain-rod-brackets mounted respectivelycon said bars and-being horizontally adjustable along said bars.

' 9. Thecombination of three shade-roller brackets supported in alinement, each of these brackets comprising two spaced arms c and a support-engaging element between said arms, and two shade-rollers having pintles, each arm of said brackets being provided with a pintle bearing in which a corresponding one of said pintles is seated."

10. The combination 10f two bars each having one end provided with. attaching means to engage a-door or' window the other end being provided with'an apertured laterally extending ear, a helical spring extending throughthe apertured ears of said bars and being secured to these bars andcooperative with said attaching means to seor window that supports the bars and spring, a pair of curtain-rod-brackets each supported by one of said bars,'and a twoarmed curtain-rod-bracket provided with at taching means between its" arms for engag-' ing'with the middle partition of a double window, each arm of saidtwo-armed bracket being provided with a curtain-rod-seat antl with an aperture through which saidspring cure said bars in engagement with the door r extends in such relation that said two-armed bracket supports the middle part of said spring. I

11. The combination of two shade-roller supports, and three shade-rollers, each of said shade-roller-supports comprising a bracket-supporting structure and two shaderoller-brackets, the latter being supported by said structure, each of two of said brackets being provided with two spaced pintle-bearings, whereby the said two shaderoller-supports are effective to support the said three shade-rollers through the medium of their pintles.

12. A curtain-rod-bracket formed of a springy sheet-metal blank and comprising two spaced arms and an attaching plate, the latter being centrally slotted for attachment to a headed fastener, the attaching plate being concavo-convexed and having its convex surface facing toward the space between the distant ends of said arms so that the plate exerts a spring-pressure against the head of said headed fastener and against a door or window which holds said fastener,

each of said arms being provided with a curtain-rod-seat, said attaching plate being deflectable by an inward movement of said arms toward one another for the purpose of releasing said attaching plate from the headed fastener, as described.

two spaced arms and an attaching plate, the

latter being centrally slotted for attachment to a headed fastener, the attaching plate being concavo-convexed and having its convex surface facing toward the space between the distant ends of said arms so that the plate exerts. a spring-pressure against the headof said headed fastener andagainst a door or window which holds said fastener,

two spaced arms and an attaching plate, the

latter being centrally slotted for attachment to a headed fastener, the attaching plate being concavo-convexed and having its con-v vex surface facing toward the space between the distant ends of said arms so that the plate exerts a spring-pressure against the head of'said headed fastener and against a door or window which holds said fastener.

each of said arms being provided with a plurality of shade-roller-bearings of different sizes and located different distances my hand.

GILBERT E. ALPHIN. 

